A new Gatorade drink came out this week – and it may be a little different than what you’re used to.
The drinks are known for their rich purple, shocking yellow, cool blue and fiery red and orange hues, which come from artificial dyes.
But this new drink – called “Gatorade Lower Sugar” – has no artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors, the beverage giant PepsiCo, Inc. says.
“Gatorade Lower Sugar represents the Gatorade Sports Science Institute’s latest innovation in hydration,” Dr. Matt Pahnke, from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, explained in a statement.
“It delivers science-backed hydration aligned with what today’s active consumers are asking for.”
The Gatorade Lower Sugar drinks are now available across the U.S., made with 75 percent less sugar than Gatorade Thirst Quenchers, PepsiCo said this week.
They come in four flavors, including Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Glacier Cherry and Rain Berry.
The product’s release comes 10 years after PepsiCo launched its first organic, dye-free Gatorade line named G Organic.
G Organic faced criticism online, with a piece in The Atlantic claiming it would confuse consumers into “buying sugar water.” PepsiCo said that the product had been discontinued in 2023.
The classic fruit punch Gatorade Thirst Quenchers are made with red 40, cool blue has blue 1, lemon lime has yellow 5 and orange has yellow 6.
The Trump administration said it was working with the industry to eliminate all of these petroleum-based dyes, some of which have been tied to neurological problems in some children, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Food and Drug Administration says “most children have no adverse effects” when consuming foods containing color additives.
Researchers say one in five packaged food and drink products in the U.S. contain synthetic dyes, and many major companies have agreed to phase out the dyes following a push from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
PepsiCo announced in April that it would accelerate plans to use natural colors in its food and beverages – although it hasn’t committed to meeting the Trump administration’s goal of phasing out petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of 2026.
Around 40 percent of PepsiCo products include synthetic dyes, the company told The Associated Press.
“We stand by the science. Our products are very safe and there’s nothing to worry about,” CEO Ramon Laguarta said in a conference call with investors.
“But we understand that there’s going to be, probably, a consumer demand for more natural ingredients.”
The company unveiled new Cheetos and Doritos products that are “completely colorless” late last year.
They’re called “Simply NKD,” and are also made without artificial flavors. The release came 23 years after the brand launched its Simply line of chips, which offer natural versions of products like Doritos.
“Rest assured, our iconic Cheetos and Doritos remain unchanged. NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, introduced to meet consumer demand,” Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., said in a statement.
“As part of our broader transformation, we are expanding choices while still protecting our iconic brands. More choices, same flavor, same brand power,” she noted.
Gatorade and Cheetos were among the first products slated for a makeover, according to The Associated Press.
A request for comment from the company was not immediately returned to The Independent.
